Kennewick, WA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Demolition trigger
- Restoration cost over 60% of value
- Fire-damage trigger
- 30% cost plus 6 months vacant
- Enforcing officer
- Director of Planning
- Appeal body
- City Hearing Examiner
- Max violation
- Gross misdemeanor
Summary
Kennewick orders unfit or substandard buildings demolished or vacated once repair costs cross set thresholds, under the Planning Director's Chapter 9.44 enforcement powers.
(b)The cost of restoration exceeds 60 percent of the value of the building; or (c)The building has been damaged by fire or other calamity, the cost of restoration exceeds 30 percent of the value of the building and it has remained vacant for six months or more ... the Director shall order the building or premises demolished and the land suitably filled and cleared, or shall order the property immediately vacated and secured as completely as possible pending demolition.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 19 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Under KMC 9.44.040(2), when structural deterioration, dilapidation or fire damage endangers a building's occupants or neighbors, the Director must order demolition and clearing, or immediate vacating and securing, once the cost of restoration exceeds 60 percent of the building's value, or exceeds 30 percent after fire damage where the building has stayed vacant six-plus months. KMC 9.44.050 separately lets the Director order repair, cleaning or vacating of buildings found structurally unsound, fire-hazardous or nuisance-ridden. Owners get a Complaint, a hearing before the Director, and a right to appeal to the Hearing Examiner under KMC 9.44.070 through 9.44.090.
Violations & Fines
Occupying a vacated building, ignoring a Director's or Hearing Examiner's order, or obstructing enforcement is a gross misdemeanor under KMC 9.44.140; abatement costs become a lien against the property under KMC 9.44.110.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can Kennewick order a building demolished?
Can I appeal a Kennewick unfit-building order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kennewick
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